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Premier League returns with diving bans, a new ball . . . and better typography

James Gheerbrant

August 10 2017, 5:00pm, The Times

Arsenal and Leicester City play in the first friday-night Premier League opening fixture tomorrowSHAUN BOTTERILL/GETTY IMAGES

The Premier League is back tomorrow night, and like any 20-something, England’s top flight has made some lifestyle changes. Here’s what’s new.

Bans for divingAfter years of unpunished malfeasance, divine justice finally comes to the Premier League, courtesy of a three-man simulation panel who will sit on Mondays to review footage of footballers falling over. Players who dive or feign injury will have to withstand the scrutiny of one former manager, one former player and one former referee. Three people judging diving — think of it as Splash minus Tom Daley. Those unanimously found guilty of simulation will be condemned to eternal damnation, or a two-match ban.

Willian, the Chelsea midfielder, was booked for diving in the Community Shield last weekendIAN KINGTON/GETTY IMAGES

No pitch designsRemember the snazzy pitch designs cooked up by Leicester and Southampton’s enterprising groundsmen last season?…